Wounded England stand in way of big Indian records

Match facts

December 16-20, 2016 Start time 9.30 local (0400GMT)

Big Picture

England might feel like the guy sighing in relief when he hears the bar keep yelling “last call”. They’ve tried hard to keep up in unfamiliar surroundings, lost players to a schedule that packed five Tests into six weeks, given up their hold on the Anthony de Mello Trophy, and can’t be faulted if they are left with nothing more than the desire to go home. Counting the series in Bangladesh, they’ve been on tour since early October. With one win, four losses, debate over the quality of their captain, suggestions they have fielded lopsided XIs, injuries – James Anderson’s soreness being the latest – irritation from the coach over their tactics, and later at the media’s antics, this was one awful bender.

India, on the other hand, may feel kinship towards those who go “boo” when told the pub is shutting down for the night. Virat Kohli is in such form he could start playing trick shots to each ball. R Ashwin can’t help but pick up wickets. The batting line-up stretches to No. 9. The bowlers are relentless. All of that has been amplified by home conditions. In Chennai, they stand a chance at equalling the most Tests they’ve ever won in a series – four, against Australia in 2013 – even a draw would take them to 18 matches without a defeat. No Indian team has reached such heights in 84 years of Test history.

There is one more protagonist in play: the city. It was only at the start of this week that Chennai was laid waste by cyclone Vardah.

Form guide

India WWWDW (completed matches, most recent first)England LLLDL

In the spotlight

Karun Nair has not had the kindest introduction to Test cricket. He has had to hang around on the fringes since the Sri Lanka tour last year, and his extended run in the XI may well be the result of Ajinkya Rahane – who spent a lot …

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